Month: November 2013

One way to add dimension and enhance the seasonal look of your outdoor garden design is to add tree branches to your container gardens. This does not need to cost a lot of money, as you may be able to find suitable branches right outside your door.

Source: Marvin Gardens Facebook

One idea that works for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is to repurpose an interesting vintage or unique item as a planting container. All you need to do to make a quick container garden is to anchor some branches into the soil and perhaps add a colorful bow for an added festive touch.

For Thanksgiving, you could choose to put include redtwig dogwood or other colorful branches into your planter with assorted greenery. This garden design can easily follow through to Christmas by adding some white birch twigs and additional greenery, such as pine or fir branches and changing out the bow.

One whimsical look that you can create uses tall curly willow branches and pinecones. Insert the branches into a weathered pot and place the pinecones over the soil for a rustic look that will last until spring.

Get more ideas and advice from the garden design experts at Marvin Gardens.

One way to get your kids involved in gardening is to start with planting bulbs. Planning your garden with bulbs is an easy way for kids to participate, regardless of their age. There is something for everyone to do and it makes for a great family activity.

Planting bulbs doesn’t require special tools, but you can make it easier by investing in a bulb planter, instead of using a ruler and garden trowel. This tool comes pre-marked with measurements that make it easy to dig the correct depth that is needed for each type of bulb.

Start by having your kids arrange the bulbs in the area where you will be planting them before digging holes. This will allow for adjustments if needed. Avoid planting bulbs too far apart because clumps of bulbs look much nicer than spindly spread out plants.

Dig the holes, plant the bulbs with the pointy end up, cover with dirt and you are done. When spring arrives, your kids will be excited to see the fruits of their labor, and this may help foster a lifelong interest in gardening.

Learn how Marvin Gardens can make planning your garden an enjoyable activity for your entire family.

The fall season is upon us and winter is approaching fast. Inexperienced gardeners may think that means a lull in activity but more knowledgeable ones understand that there are still plenty of things to do to get ready for next year. Here are just a few suggestions for where to start:

Plant Bulbs – It is important to get these in the ground before it freezes so that the plants have some time to root and establish themselves. Then they will be ready for an early spring thaw and you will have flowers as early as possible.

Divide and Transplant – Similarly, transplanting is best done now so that the plants are acclimatized to their new environment and ready to bloom at the earliest possible time.

Fertilize the Lawn – Don’t forget your lawn. The winter months create a long hiatus when your grass won’t be receiving much nourishment. A little fertilizer in the fall will go a long way towards keeping your lawn green now and in the spring.

For more information on these and other garden care ideas, please visit us at Marvin Gardens.

Life is so busy these days and now with the holidays right around the corner when are you going to find the time to shop, cook and decorate? We here at Marvin Gardens can help lessen your load by taking care of all your exterior decorating and interior arrangement needs.

From fresh garland to stringing rows of bright sparkly lights, let Marvin Gardens worry about untangling those strands and figuring out why that one bulb won’t work. We also can supply beautifully decorated fresh wreaths for hanging on doors, windows and over fireplaces and assist in designing an outdoor space for that perfect holiday look.

Now that summer blossoms have faded, let us fill those exterior decorative vessels with red berries, pine cones and other eye-catching holiday greenery. For the interior you can supply your own vases or just stop by, select a few from our large selection, we’ll create fabulous unique arrangements and deliver them to your home at your convenience. These will be perfect for a Thanksgiving centerpiece or as elegant tablescapes during those holiday brunches and cocktail parties.

Want to do something different this year with your yard and garden holiday decorating? Marvin Gardens has some wonderful ideas!

Place luminaries along the front walkway and then focus a single spotlight on the front door’s custom designed wreath.

Instead of trying to light all the trees and shrubs in the yard, decorate one single tree in white or clear lights. Combine this with the first suggestion above and you make a subtle but elegant statement.

When your summer plants succumb to Mother Nature’s cold blast don’t just store those pots and urns until next spring. Fill them with sprigs of holly, fluffy pine branches, red berries, pine cones and other greenery.

Don’t forget the mailbox. A couple short pieces of evergreen intertwined with glittering pine cones and anchored with a big red bow is so cheery and welcoming.

Fill window boxes with winter greenery. Change out summer cushions on the patio furniture with ones featuring more of a holiday theme. Use baskets of pine cones, oversized ornaments and sprigs of mistletoe and holly for outside tablescapes.

If your personal design aesthetic trends toward a romantic style, you should definitely consider transforming your garden into a romantic escape. Consider the possibilities that are just outside your door. Simple changes and additions to your garden can extend the romantic design, including:

Vintage items. Metal watering cans, unique garden accessories, and iron wall hangings can all enhance the design of your garden. You may already have some of these items tucked away and just waiting to be used in your garden design.

Plenty of pots. Creating a container garden in terra cotta, painted, or glazed pots will bring color and visual interest to your garden. The pots can be displayed throughout the garden or clustered together to create interesting vignettes.

Picket fences. Many people consider pickets only in fencing. In fact, picket fencing can be used throughout a romantic garden. Consider backing a potting bench in picket fencing or using it against a wall to act as a trellis.

Contact the professionals at Marvin Gardens for more unique garden design ideas. We are committed to helping our customers transform their gardens into the spaces of their dreams.

Just because winter is rapidly approaching doesn’t mean you should abandon your garden. Taking care of your garden before winter hits will protect your plants, help ensure a successful spring planting season, and promote the ongoing health of your garden.

Before winter hits make sure to:

Mulch around trees and shrubs. Adding mulch around the bases of shrubs and trees helps to moderate the temperature of the soil. Avoid piling the mulch and building it up against the base of the trunk. This creates the perfect spot for mice to nest.

Cut back shrubs and perennials. Different shrubs and perennials require different levels of pruning. For example, Black Eyed Susans can be cut back completely but lavender does best with a moderate cut back. Consult the professionals at Marvin Gardens for advice about cutting back your specific plants.

Water one last time. If the ground hasn’t frozen yet you should take the opportunity to liberally water one last time. This provides needed moisture for trees, plants, and shrubs during the cold winter season.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and there is a lot to do before your friends and family sit down to dinner. You can cross one thing off your to-do list by creating a Thanksgiving table centerpiece from your garden. Pairing design accessories with items from your garden makes for a unique and meaningful table centerpiece.

Our favorite ideas include using:

Acorns and leaves. Look to the ground for acorns and leaves that will add color and texture to the table. A small sprig of leaves and a few acorns are perfect set against a cluster of roses.

Greenery. Pieces of greenery from pine, spruce, or noble trees can be collected and used in centerpieces. These garden items can be added to floral arrangements in vases or circled around candles.

Fall-blooming flowers. If you have mums or other fall blooming flowers in your garden you can use these in your holiday celebration. Choose a vessel that your guests can see over and consider wrapping it in burlap or raffia reminiscent of the harvest.

If you’d like to learn more about creative ways to decorate for Thanksgiving using things items from your garden contact the professionals at Marvin Gardens.